Page 17 of Lost Little Boy (Pride Camp 2025 #5)
Chapter Thirteen
Perry
Wex and I parted ways in the parking garage, with me going to the supply closet on the first floor while Wex went to his office on the executive floor.
Once I was in the closet, I called the hostel on U Street to see if they had space for the weekend, which they didn’t.
I then phoned two others, and they were full as well. I was well and truly screwed .
When Wex questioned me about what I did for work when I’d first come to northern Virginia, I panicked. I was sure Wex was a good guy, but who wanted to have a boy who’d had sex for money? He didn’t seem like the type of man who would stand for something of the sort.
Why didn’t I just walk away from him? I could find another job, couldn’t I? I was sure there were openings for janitors all over DC, so maybe that was the best option.
Later, while I was having my vending machine lunch, there was a knock on the closet door. I stood and opened it, seeing Miss Daphne with a bright smile. “I’m sorry to bother you—”
I went to the corner and grabbed the mop bucket, sure there was some sort of bodily fluid that needed to be cleaned up in the center. “I’ll be right there.”
When I pushed the bucket forward, Miss Daphne giggled.
“No, no. Nothing like that. I spoke to Mr. Warrick this morning, and he agreed to let you work with us in the center this afternoon. We’re still shorthanded, and we have a field trip to the park today.
I thought you’d be great at helping us keep track of everyone. ”
My hand flew to my chest. “Me? After what Mr. Jenkins said?”
“Mr. Jenkins will not be returning to Grassley Industries, so that situation has resolved itself. Do you have anything besides coveralls to wear today?” She gave my denim coveralls a look before she frowned.
“Yes, ma’am. I have on shorts and a T-shirt under them.” I unzipped the coveralls to show her my red T-shirt as if I needed to prove I wasn’t lying.
“Good. That’ll be more comfortable. We’ll leave around two, right after nap time.
Get yourself in the headspace to be around rowdy toddlers all afternoon and come to the center around then.
I think you know everyone, but I’ll introduce you as Mr. Perry, if that’s okay.
We’ll walk the two blocks to Four Mile Run Park where I’ve reserved a covered picnic area.
We’ll be bringing water and our afternoon snack along.
Oh, do you have a way to bring water with you?
Most of the kids have insulated cups that we bring. ”
I picked up my large metal cup. “Got it. Anything else?”
“I’ll tell you like I tell the kids—use the restroom before we go. When we get twenty-five children on a playground, it’s like they’ve multiplied to a hundred. I’ll see you this afternoon.” Miss Daphne walked out of the closet and closed the door.
I was so excited about going to the park, it was a wonder I didn’t take flight. Before thinking about it too hard, I called Mr. Warrick to confirm that I was allowed to help Miss Daphne .
“You sure you wanna help her out? Taking care of twenty-odd little kids sounds like a lot more work than changing lightbulbs.” We both laughed, but I confirmed that I wanted to help her out, and he said we’d figure out how to code it on my time sheet.
I was grateful for his willingness to allow me the opportunity.
I pulled my phone from the pocket of my coveralls and sent a text to Wex.
I’m going to help Miss Daphne with a field trip this afternoon to Four Mile Run Park. Hugh said it was okay. I’m really excited. I hope your day is going well. Perry
I stood to check what was in my backpack that I didn’t need with me at the park.
I had a word puzzle book, some pens, a phone charger, my keys to my old—or new—apartment, and a comb and pomade to tame my hair if necessary.
I decided to leave my coveralls in my chair and collect them later before I went home…
which was another problem I needed to deal with.
My phone buzzed on the desk. It was a text from Wex.
That sounds fun. Did you eat lunch? What time will you be ready to go today? I’m going to insist that you at least stay the night with me, sweet boy. We’ll work everything out, okay? I can’t wait to hear how the park adventure was. Let me know when you’re back. Xo
Relief flooded my soul. Daddy insisted I stay with him. I didn’t have to beg him to let me stay, nor did I have to waste money on a hotel. I owed Wex an apology for being so stubborn, and I vowed to return his kindness somehow.
“You got up there, now how are you going to get down?” Miss Jing had a wicked eyebrow cocked at the little girl in question.
Jing Han, one of the other aides, was addressing Kimmy Dern, a four-year-old girl who was at the top of a rock-climbing wall that was about six feet high.
They’d been told not to climb up if they couldn’t get down, but they were little kids.
Of course, they were testing boundaries and trying to establish their independence.
“I can help her.” I chuckled and walked over to the wall.
Jing looked at me and patted her baby bump. “Good, because I’m not climbing up there. ”
Climbing a few feet, I touched Kimmy’s ankle. “I’ll help you get down this time, okay?”
The girl nodded, so I glanced down to see the best way to proceed. “Okay, move this foot down here,” I said as I touched the red rock a couple of inches beneath her. She moved her foot before looking at me again.
“Now, move your hand,” I touched her right arm, “to this rock.”
She did as I instructed until we reached the ground.
“Gimma a high five. Good job. Now, don’t climb so high until you’re sure you can come down by yourself.
Climb about halfway and practice coming down.
Maybe you can help some of the little kids with the steps for the slides since you’re an expert climber now.
” She slapped my hand and ran off toward where the toddlers were playing.
“You’re a natural, Mr. Perry. Have you ever thought about teaching?” I turned to see Miss Daphne behind me, having witnessed our little climbing lesson.
“I didn’t go to college. I only have my GED, and college is very expensive. I did go to a career seminar at the community college last month, so it’s not like I haven’t been thinking about it. I like my job because I’m helping people, but unclogging toilets isn’t my life’s ambition.”
Miss Daphne stepped closer to me as we watched two boys climbing a net ladder.
“Did you know the company has education reimbursement? If you were to work in the center, say, half-days, the company will pay your tuition for the classes you’d need to take and pay your salary.
It might be worth looking into. I’ll be happy to write a recommendation to Human Resources on your behalf. ”
That sparked a memory of my first day at Grassley Industries.
I had to sit with Miss Wintz for hours going over all the insurance, state, and federal tax paperwork.
She briefly skimmed the employee handbook, putting sticky tabs on the pages about sick time, vacation time, comp time if I was required to work on a special project, and overtime pay.
I vaguely remembered her mentioning education reimbursement, but at the time, I didn’t care because I had no intention of going to college. Oh, how things changed in a year!
“That’s a good idea. I’ll check into it.
I was thinking of taking some summer classes to see if anything interests me.
” I didn’t go into how I had no idea what I’d do for a job if I wasn’t a janitor.
My thoughts about my future were changing, and I had a lot of thinking to do.
I also wanted to talk to Daddy about it.
He was wise and would have lots of suggestions, I was sure.
I had a blast pushing some of the little ones in the toddler swings.
Everyone sat down at the picnic table to eat some fruit snacks and crackers, and then we all held hands and walked back to the center at four thirty.
I was exhausted, as were a few of the kids, but everyone had fun.
I couldn’t wait to tell Wex. It was one of the best days I’d ever had.
At six o’clock, Wex came into the center with a big smile on his face. All the kids and the other two teachers’ aides had left for the day, and I was helping Miss Daphne put everything away so we were ready for Monday morning.
“Good evening, Wex. How as your day?” Daphne set the dolls on a shelf, examining a torn dress on one.
“It was good. How about you two. How was your field trip?” Wex asked as he picked up three small metal cars and put them into the box near where I was crawling around to take apart the race car track that I’d put together when we got back to the center.
The older kids took turns racing each other, and Daphne had said she’d never seen them agree to share and take turns as they did with me.
I wasn’t sure if she was telling me the truth, but it was nice to hear.
“It was wonderful. Mr. Perry was a tremendous help to us, and the kids love him. I told him if he’s interested, the company offers education reimbursement for classes related to your job family.
If HR does as I’ve asked, he’ll be a part-time employee here in the center, and he could take some classes for preschool education in the evenings if he wanted. ”
I glanced at Wex to see a smirk on his face, telling me something was up.
I wasn’t sure what, but I got the feeling he’d had a hand in my afternoon adventure with the kids.
Would I be heartbroken if I found out it was his doing and not my good luck that everything came together at once? I had a feeling I wouldn’t.